PRESS2 days ago

Dream Act

As we enter the thick of campaign season, we’re starting to see the new paradigm of immigration politics play out in television ads. Candidates who support common sense reform are leaning into the issue. And, they’re pushing that message to an important constituency: Latino voters. The Obama/Biden campaign has Spanish language ads on the air … Continue reading »

Writing at The Hill’s Congress Blog, Caesar Vargas — a DREAMer and activist who was in Tampa and Charlotte — has a post-convention analysis on the politics of immigration. During the Democratic National Convention, Benita Veliz made history during her prime time appearance by being the first undocumented immigrant, or DREAMer, to speak before a national party … Continue reading »

While we don’t always agree with Ruben Navarrette’s writing, we usually think he makes provocative points in a way that calls out both parties fairly. However, there are a few claims in his most recent column that are so wildly out of context (and so egregiously misrepresent history) that we feel compelled to respond. In his … Continue reading »

On August 15, DREAMers around the country began filing applications with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to request temporary relief from deportation. The deferred action process, as it is known, would also give DREAMers the ability to work and (in some cases) drive for at least two years. Recognizing that the cost of the … Continue reading »

While Benita was making her historic speech at the Democratic National Convention last night, we were watching Twitter blow up talking about her. Here’s a compilation of some of those tweets, many notably talking about how Benita was received last night compared to how she would be received at, say, the RNC: Benita Veliz. A valedictorian … Continue reading »

Yesterday featured some stark reminders of why politics and elections matter. On stage at last night’s Democratic National Convention, DREAM Act advocate Benita Veliz spoke to the assembled delegates and television audience and shared her compelling personal story: “I graduated as a valedictorian of my high school class at the age of 16, and I … Continue reading »

As Republican-Drafted SB 1070 Provision Goes Forward, Democrats Feature Undocumented Leader at Convention Frank Sharry: “The Contrast Could Not Be Clearer, The Stakes Could Not be Higher” Yesterday featured some stark reminders of why politics and elections matter. On stage at last night’s Democratic National Convention, DREAM Act advocate Benita Veliz spoke to the assembled … Continue reading »

History was made last night at the Democratic National Convention when Benita Veliz–the first DREAMer ever to speak at a convention–took the podium to tell her story. You can watch the video of her remarks here: And the transcript: My name is Benita Veliz, and I’m from San Antonio, Texas. Like so many Americans of … Continue reading »